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The Accidental Teacher: The joys, ambitions, ideals, stuff-ups and heartaches of a teaching life
Funny, poignant, charming and deeply sad at times, this is a fascinating insight into a teaching life.
With his sharp wit and poet's eye, Tim Heath writes of a forty-year career, mostly in New Zealand but also in Samoa. He's worked in small country schools, in big city schools, at the Correspondence School, in primary schools and in secondary schools. He's been a principal and a deputy principal.
Teaching wasn't his first choice, but once in the classroom he found his calling.
Tim is a passionate advocate for children and their learning, and his educational philosophy is illustrated through touching anecdotes of children and their struggles and successes.
Written against the backdrop of changing times in New Zealand, this memoir is a deep dive into education and its place in our world.
With his sharp wit and poet's eye, Tim Heath writes of a forty-year career, mostly in New Zealand but also in Samoa. He's worked in small country schools, in big city schools, at the Correspondence School, in primary schools and in secondary schools. He's been a principal and a deputy principal.
Teaching wasn't his first choice, but once in the classroom he found his calling.
Tim is a passionate advocate for children and their learning, and his educational philosophy is illustrated through touching anecdotes of children and their struggles and successes.
Written against the backdrop of changing times in New Zealand, this memoir is a deep dive into education and its place in our world.
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First published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 25, 2022
Finally a memoir by a teacher that's from NZ..this one follows the authors 40 year career. While some of it is a bit self-aggrandising I think it's honest about the different kinds of teaching and pressures teachers face, the joy of it but also the heartaches as said in the title.
Yes of course it has some bugbears about the way education is run in NZ its to be expected...! Though I think teachers need to be realistic in that a certain amount of teaching actually does require marking/standards and it needs to be done in a way that students understand their strengths and where they can improve rather than where they are failing. This memoir leans more toward the hippie style of teaching - let the kids run riot with art materials and play in the mud lol
Yes of course it has some bugbears about the way education is run in NZ its to be expected...! Though I think teachers need to be realistic in that a certain amount of teaching actually does require marking/standards and it needs to be done in a way that students understand their strengths and where they can improve rather than where they are failing. This memoir leans more toward the hippie style of teaching - let the kids run riot with art materials and play in the mud lol
March 21, 2022
Reading this memoir I got a great sense of nostalgia, a further grasp of the injustices in the New Zealand school curriculum, and a really good yarn to bury my head in whilst isolating. Tim Heath highlights the importance of enthusiasm and having an open mind when teaching, and made me appreciate all of the wonderful teachers I've experienced in the past, he also made me think about all the teachers who have continued teaching well beyond their expiry dates.
January 28, 2023
This was the perfect book for me to read in the final days of my summer holiday before I start my first teaching job.
The author describes his time as a student teacher in the 60s through his early career as a teacher in NZ and Samoa, then as a correspondence school teacher, and then as a principal. His consistent drive to improve the lives of disadvantaged students is inspiring. A witty, sweet, and thought-provoking read.
The author describes his time as a student teacher in the 60s through his early career as a teacher in NZ and Samoa, then as a correspondence school teacher, and then as a principal. His consistent drive to improve the lives of disadvantaged students is inspiring. A witty, sweet, and thought-provoking read.
February 12, 2022
Great for it's honesty and humility. A fair look at the profession by someone who does it, rather than a theorising expert.
March 9, 2023
Note: This book is part of my reading book club.
It's easy to get into the rhythm of this book, perhaps because it's structured well with intelligent prose that makes the storytelling digestible even for readers not from the same backgrounds/generations. However, I do feel that the author begins telling the tale with such gusto but somewhat loses steam toward the end; that to say, how the author concluded his story left me unsatisfied, "Oh, okay. That's it?" I agree with most of the author's teaching philosophy, with a few exceptions. For example, he disregards the concern of the five-year-old white student who said to her parent, reflecting on what was going on in school, who said, "Why aren't we as important as the Maori?" (p 269). And his response to this concern was, "Of course, I wanted all children to feel important, but it pleased me that there was a perception that Maori kids, so long at the bottom heap, had gained mana in the school setting." His deliberate effort to prioritize the Maori children at the expense of other ethnic/race groups (particularly the white) hurt the affected students. Yet, he deems it as of no consequence.
Anyways, teaching is the kind of profession that is not for everybody, especially those who dislike children, lack the necessary aptitudes to be a good teacher, and see teaching as a backup career path; I came across a few of those in my lifetime, and they left lasting negative impacts on the unfortunate children under their charge. In contrast, a good teacher who loves their job and loves children impart wisdom that is treasured by their students long after they leave the classroom and school and would remember that particular teacher with fondness and gratitude.
But these days, teaching as a profession is even more challenging by the increasing demands of report writing imposed by "the educational bureaucrats" that leave less time for teachers to do what they are meant to do--teaching.
It's easy to get into the rhythm of this book, perhaps because it's structured well with intelligent prose that makes the storytelling digestible even for readers not from the same backgrounds/generations. However, I do feel that the author begins telling the tale with such gusto but somewhat loses steam toward the end; that to say, how the author concluded his story left me unsatisfied, "Oh, okay. That's it?" I agree with most of the author's teaching philosophy, with a few exceptions. For example, he disregards the concern of the five-year-old white student who said to her parent, reflecting on what was going on in school, who said, "Why aren't we as important as the Maori?" (p 269). And his response to this concern was, "Of course, I wanted all children to feel important, but it pleased me that there was a perception that Maori kids, so long at the bottom heap, had gained mana in the school setting." His deliberate effort to prioritize the Maori children at the expense of other ethnic/race groups (particularly the white) hurt the affected students. Yet, he deems it as of no consequence.
Anyways, teaching is the kind of profession that is not for everybody, especially those who dislike children, lack the necessary aptitudes to be a good teacher, and see teaching as a backup career path; I came across a few of those in my lifetime, and they left lasting negative impacts on the unfortunate children under their charge. In contrast, a good teacher who loves their job and loves children impart wisdom that is treasured by their students long after they leave the classroom and school and would remember that particular teacher with fondness and gratitude.
But these days, teaching as a profession is even more challenging by the increasing demands of report writing imposed by "the educational bureaucrats" that leave less time for teachers to do what they are meant to do--teaching.
January 28, 2022
An intimate view into all the ups and downs in the career of a teacher. Tim teaches at rural schools, urban schools in Auckland with mainly Pacific students, Samoan schools, and even NZ's correspondence school to teach the kids of the 80s hippie population of Aotea (Great Barrier Island). A great introduction to the historical difficulties facing Maori and Pacific children in NZ, which sadly continues through to today.
Very easy and enjoyable reading. Tim, however, has some particular and strong ideas about teaching, management, and community, so felt I didn't learn so much about primary education apart from Tim's way.
Very easy and enjoyable reading. Tim, however, has some particular and strong ideas about teaching, management, and community, so felt I didn't learn so much about primary education apart from Tim's way.
September 15, 2024
Enjoyed it
January 30, 2024
This teaching memoir was easy to read and not dull at all. I thought I may get a bit bored but I enjoyed all the stories from this teacher's 'accidental' career in education. Well written and much needed. Highly recommended, especially for teachers in New Zealand.
February 21, 2022
Oh boy, what a great read, especially if like me, like Tim Heath, you were in that era of the New Zealand educational system he describes. Everything recognisable, familiar, I was there too, although mainly in secondary schools. Unlike his long career, I left teaching in mid-life to train as a registered nurse, and having done that, always wished to return to teaching and Do It All Again with my new knowledge to Do It Better. This is a book anyone can read, and can learn from, especially if you have children or grandchildren of your own. Tim, a wonderfully flawed and caring human being, brings a warmth and joy to the concept of schooling that brings life, creativity and commonsense into the dark areas of suffering so many experience within a school's walls - and sometimes because of well-meaning but terminally unhelpful parents. However, "one size does not fit all" and privileged students may not comprehend the difficulties of the indigenous, the migrant and the deprived that Tim Heath writes about. Which is a blessing. But here it is described, for all to understand. I recommend this book to all student teachers.
January 3, 2022
Tim Heath was at university in the early 1960s when he learned that the government would pay him to study to become a teacher. So that's the genesis of the title -he became an accidental teacher. Once he was on that pathway he threw himself into the profession, and his career spanned decades that saw many changes within education in New Zealand.
Heath worked in country schools where he was the single teacher and in a school in Samoa, where 'teaching to the test' was of paramount importance. He worked for the Correspondence School as it was transitioning to serving fewer isolated children and more young people struggling with conventional schooling. He was the principal of an inner city school where the population was primarily Pasifika and Māori children, so he's certainly experience a variety of teaching jobs.
The book is primarily chronologically arranged, from his student days to the end of his teaching career. He shares some of his personal life; marriage to a Samoan woman; some failed relationships. He formed strong opinions of how teaching should be done, and often found himself disillusioned and struggling to affect change, and observing the same in others. He is honest about his failings in both teaching, parenting and relationships, but the book is primarily an account of what happened, rather than self analysis.
The memoir isn't hard to read, and it's quite interesting. It is a strongly New Zealand book; his reflections show the ever present difficulties of a country with a colonised indigenous population, a large immigrant community and a education system set up for the dominant culture. He shares his viewpoints on schooling - the importance of inclusion; of art and physical education; of mixing up ages and stages. That's a strength of the book - it's pleasing as a New Zealander to read about our education system, and life in this country. I don't really want to read about pig hunting, but it's a huge part of life in many rural communities and some of his anecdotes illustrate this well. However the New Zealandness is also a weakness, because there's an assumption that the reader will just know some of these things discussed. A little more background on the issues surrounding the Springbok tour, or on the Tomorrow's Schools restructure of education might be helpful to readers who weren't in the country or old enough to remember these events.
Overall it wasn't a difficult or lengthy read, and I'll keep an eye on the reviews on Good Reads to see how others found this.
Heath worked in country schools where he was the single teacher and in a school in Samoa, where 'teaching to the test' was of paramount importance. He worked for the Correspondence School as it was transitioning to serving fewer isolated children and more young people struggling with conventional schooling. He was the principal of an inner city school where the population was primarily Pasifika and Māori children, so he's certainly experience a variety of teaching jobs.
The book is primarily chronologically arranged, from his student days to the end of his teaching career. He shares some of his personal life; marriage to a Samoan woman; some failed relationships. He formed strong opinions of how teaching should be done, and often found himself disillusioned and struggling to affect change, and observing the same in others. He is honest about his failings in both teaching, parenting and relationships, but the book is primarily an account of what happened, rather than self analysis.
The memoir isn't hard to read, and it's quite interesting. It is a strongly New Zealand book; his reflections show the ever present difficulties of a country with a colonised indigenous population, a large immigrant community and a education system set up for the dominant culture. He shares his viewpoints on schooling - the importance of inclusion; of art and physical education; of mixing up ages and stages. That's a strength of the book - it's pleasing as a New Zealander to read about our education system, and life in this country. I don't really want to read about pig hunting, but it's a huge part of life in many rural communities and some of his anecdotes illustrate this well. However the New Zealandness is also a weakness, because there's an assumption that the reader will just know some of these things discussed. A little more background on the issues surrounding the Springbok tour, or on the Tomorrow's Schools restructure of education might be helpful to readers who weren't in the country or old enough to remember these events.
Overall it wasn't a difficult or lengthy read, and I'll keep an eye on the reviews on Good Reads to see how others found this.
June 1, 2022
The first few pages are laugh-out-loud for all those who recall their days as opinionated university students and thus the reader is drawn into an exceptionally readable memoir set at first in the sixties and traversing four decades of teaching in New Zealand.
It may be that much of this book will be foreign territory for readers from another country or era but the underlying consideration of what makes a good teacher and how children can learn in the broadest sense makes this very relevant. Heath’s career spans teaching stints in a rural one-teacher school, time on a remote island of Samoa, becoming a respected principal of Newton Primary and lastly working for the Correspondence School. His views on education are a major theme and his experiences make them very persuasive.
Tim Heath is a published poet and his ability with words adds to the enjoyment. I loved his self deprecating sense of humour and would particularly recommend this book to New Zealanders of a certain age, and more broadly to anyone interested in the future of our young people.
It may be that much of this book will be foreign territory for readers from another country or era but the underlying consideration of what makes a good teacher and how children can learn in the broadest sense makes this very relevant. Heath’s career spans teaching stints in a rural one-teacher school, time on a remote island of Samoa, becoming a respected principal of Newton Primary and lastly working for the Correspondence School. His views on education are a major theme and his experiences make them very persuasive.
Tim Heath is a published poet and his ability with words adds to the enjoyment. I loved his self deprecating sense of humour and would particularly recommend this book to New Zealanders of a certain age, and more broadly to anyone interested in the future of our young people.
February 18, 2022
An honest and readable account of a kiwi teacher’s various experiences across NZ and Samoa.
Tim Heath must have been one of the first educationalists to see the damage of assimilation of Maori culture in schools.
His passion for reading, the plight of Maori and Pasifika school children and the damage caused by the traditional British model of teaching in NZ, are all addressed here with gusto.
From a rural Hawkes Bay school to a primary school in Samoa, these experiences are quite affecting. There is also the experiences of correspondence school teaching which took the author to all sorts of places including Great Barrier Island. I found it quite disturbing about some of the home experiences he encountered along the way.
A great read for any teacher. Not just a tale of teaching, but an insight into how society shapes us all.
Tim Heath must have been one of the first educationalists to see the damage of assimilation of Maori culture in schools.
His passion for reading, the plight of Maori and Pasifika school children and the damage caused by the traditional British model of teaching in NZ, are all addressed here with gusto.
From a rural Hawkes Bay school to a primary school in Samoa, these experiences are quite affecting. There is also the experiences of correspondence school teaching which took the author to all sorts of places including Great Barrier Island. I found it quite disturbing about some of the home experiences he encountered along the way.
A great read for any teacher. Not just a tale of teaching, but an insight into how society shapes us all.
June 9, 2022
It took me a little while to get into this. Not because it wasn't interesting and enjoyable, but just because I wasn't sure what to expect. The progression of Tim Heath's life as a teacher was interesting and at times (from a parent's point of view) quite relatable. It is, of course, fairly subjective. This is his thoughts on the way that teaching and learning should happen. That doesn't make it any less, but this isn't a balanced and unemotional look at New Zealand education.
I think if you were of a similar generation to Heath, or had been to school here when he was teaching it might offer a little more. I'm a foreigner. Overall, an interesting read.
I think if you were of a similar generation to Heath, or had been to school here when he was teaching it might offer a little more. I'm a foreigner. Overall, an interesting read.
July 18, 2024
Interesting to read the history of NZ education since the 1960s. But a lot of these ideas that Tim shares really expose that he's not up to date as expected since he finished in being a class teacher before the 2000s. (growing structured literacy consensus) vs his playing outside all day and views on th science of reading.
Interesting hearing about the really random parts of teaching in places like Great Barrier Island. I think the best parts were his stories about rural hunting and his time in Samoa. Sad about his family and broken relationships.
Interesting hearing about the really random parts of teaching in places like Great Barrier Island. I think the best parts were his stories about rural hunting and his time in Samoa. Sad about his family and broken relationships.
February 23, 2022
Really enjoyed the journey via Samoa and back into teaching in NZ schools. He was obviously proud of his practical way to get kids involved through art and physical activities and it seemed to work well especially for the islanders, Māoris and those struggling with formal learning who needed a pathway into school learning. He didn’t like and wasn admired by the more regimented school brigade.
Found it a bit long and repetitive later on so didn’t finish the last chapters
Found it a bit long and repetitive later on so didn’t finish the last chapters
March 12, 2024
Funny, poignant, inspiring read for this accidental teacher. You don't have to be in education to enjoy this well written memoir covering 40 years of teaching in Aotearoa and the Pacific Islands. Perhaps just a *tiny* bit self aggrandising - but I suspect he's due for it, and it's my sensitive NZ brand of tall poppy syndrome talking...
January 1, 2022
A touching, refreshingly real account of Tim Heath's journey into teaching across a turbulent part of NZ history. This book really inspired me as someone interested in working with kids. It also made me laugh and cry out loud multiple times, an excellent experience!
August 11, 2022
Loved this! Such a genuine memoir with all the highs and lows of life revealed. As a teacher in Auckland around the same time as me I was especially thrilled to hear his relative approach to primary school teaching. A man after my own heart!
March 2, 2023
Was very easy to read and hard to put down. The author is definitely a very eloquent man who has had many experiences. As a new teacher though it left me feeling a bit pessimistic about the future of teaching.
October 8, 2023
I loved this delightful memoir. Having also had a primary teaching career over approximately the same time span as Tim I could relate to his experiences. I enjoyed Tim’s easy to read writing style and his sense of humour. A great read!
January 17, 2024
Book club read. I enjoyed the early part of the book. Loved reading about Tim’s youth and days as a young, rural teacher. Then it meandered a bit. A story of a very interesting life, and a man with strong principles who was ahead of his time in some ways.
January 5, 2022
A delightful look into the career of a teacher with all its ups and downs, hopes and failures. A great read for anyone who dreams.
Read
March 11, 2024Easy read and lots to relate to with context both in NZ and Pacific Island (Samoa) life in the village etc.
January 3, 2025
A really good read, thoroughly enjoyed it 👍
November 22, 2025
Book Club read. Well-written and enjoyable. An honest account of the author's life and experiences as a teacher over many years and in different circumstances.
October 15, 2023
Really enjoyed this book. Wish I had had a teacher like that!
January 29, 2022
Funny, poignant, charming and deeply sad at times,this is a fascinating insight into a teaching life.With his sharp wit and poet's eye, Tim Heath writes of a forty-year career, mostly in New Zealand but also in Samoa.He's worked in small country schools, in big city schools,at the Correspondence School,in primary schools and in secondary schools. He's been a principal and a deputy principal.
Teaching wasn't his first choice,but once in the classroom he found his calling.Tim is a passionate advocate for children and their learning, and his educational philosophy is illustrated through touching anecdotes of children and their struggles and successes.
Written against the backdrop of changing times in New Zealand,this memoir is a deep dive into education and its place in our world.The education system in New Zealand is a three-tier model which includes primary and intermediate schools,then secondary schools and tertiary education at universities and polytechnics.Prior to European arrival, Māori ran schools to pass on tradition knowledge including songs, chants, tribal history, spiritual understanding and knowledge of medicinal plants.These wānanga were usually run by elders called tohunga,respected for their tribal knowledge and teaching was confined to the rangatira (chiefly) class.Teaching by missionaries and in Native schools was in Māori between 1815 and 1900.While English is the dominant language of education throughout New Zealand,there have been ongoing efforts to raise the availability of Māori language education in NZ as one of the nation's 3 official languages.Normal schools are major practicum sites for trainee teachers.A number of factors in the post-WWII era challenged the goals of egalitarian educational opportunities and many students' experiences were still divided by class,race,gender,religion and geography.Most schools continued to attempt to offer a curriculum with strong traditional and authoritarian elements.Schools attempted to balance a 'civilising' cultural and moral education with 'utilitarian',vocational training needs,but the battle between the two still continues.
Teaching wasn't his first choice,but once in the classroom he found his calling.Tim is a passionate advocate for children and their learning, and his educational philosophy is illustrated through touching anecdotes of children and their struggles and successes.
Written against the backdrop of changing times in New Zealand,this memoir is a deep dive into education and its place in our world.The education system in New Zealand is a three-tier model which includes primary and intermediate schools,then secondary schools and tertiary education at universities and polytechnics.Prior to European arrival, Māori ran schools to pass on tradition knowledge including songs, chants, tribal history, spiritual understanding and knowledge of medicinal plants.These wānanga were usually run by elders called tohunga,respected for their tribal knowledge and teaching was confined to the rangatira (chiefly) class.Teaching by missionaries and in Native schools was in Māori between 1815 and 1900.While English is the dominant language of education throughout New Zealand,there have been ongoing efforts to raise the availability of Māori language education in NZ as one of the nation's 3 official languages.Normal schools are major practicum sites for trainee teachers.A number of factors in the post-WWII era challenged the goals of egalitarian educational opportunities and many students' experiences were still divided by class,race,gender,religion and geography.Most schools continued to attempt to offer a curriculum with strong traditional and authoritarian elements.Schools attempted to balance a 'civilising' cultural and moral education with 'utilitarian',vocational training needs,but the battle between the two still continues.
April 6, 2022
Both throughout and after reading this book I could hardly believe that it was an accident that Tim became a teacher. This is definitely one of the highest rated book that I have read to this day!
The moments of heartbreak and moments where my heart felt warm and the moments of ‘oh dear why!’. I loved this book so much that I read the acknowledgments and I will not lie I almost never read the acknowledgments… Ever.
Having been a homeschooled, Correspondence School (now known as Te Kura) student, who had a forever dream to be a teacher. Having just finished my degree in Primary Teaching this book had me understanding struggles, laughing, crying, and even yelling things at the book such as, “YES TIM! I’m loving that amazing teaching pedagogy!” I may not have been an accidental teacher but I was the kid who, from the age of 2 told everyone she would one day be a Teacher. I have always a dream to help instil a love of learning in people and help them to teach for their wildest dreams. Through reading The Accidental Teacher I remembered that I wasn’t alone in this. If I had to narrow down what I have taken from this book to one thing it would be that I have gained more confidence in listening to the needs of ākonga and through that also pushing the limits of prescribed day to day classroom teaching.
Tim I just want to say thank you! Thank you for writing this book! Thank you for pushing for what you believe and sharing it! I’m glad that I have the knowledge and understanding that I was able to gather and glean from Teachers College however, it was through this book that I have truly felt pushed to see the many different ways that are possible to make a classroom thrive. I have taken so much from this book!
The moments of heartbreak and moments where my heart felt warm and the moments of ‘oh dear why!’. I loved this book so much that I read the acknowledgments and I will not lie I almost never read the acknowledgments… Ever.
Having been a homeschooled, Correspondence School (now known as Te Kura) student, who had a forever dream to be a teacher. Having just finished my degree in Primary Teaching this book had me understanding struggles, laughing, crying, and even yelling things at the book such as, “YES TIM! I’m loving that amazing teaching pedagogy!” I may not have been an accidental teacher but I was the kid who, from the age of 2 told everyone she would one day be a Teacher. I have always a dream to help instil a love of learning in people and help them to teach for their wildest dreams. Through reading The Accidental Teacher I remembered that I wasn’t alone in this. If I had to narrow down what I have taken from this book to one thing it would be that I have gained more confidence in listening to the needs of ākonga and through that also pushing the limits of prescribed day to day classroom teaching.
Tim I just want to say thank you! Thank you for writing this book! Thank you for pushing for what you believe and sharing it! I’m glad that I have the knowledge and understanding that I was able to gather and glean from Teachers College however, it was through this book that I have truly felt pushed to see the many different ways that are possible to make a classroom thrive. I have taken so much from this book!
June 23, 2022
The story of a New Zealander who accidentally becomes a teacher in the 1960s and the resulting journey his career takes throughout the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. A career spanning 47 years.
His marriage to a Samoan lady and his time teaching Samoa, the changing social landscape and teaching policy after he had returned to NZ.
I quite enjoyed this book, maybe it was because I was being educated at the same time he was teaching and could relate to the issues he had to overcome, or maybe it is because I am of Samoan heritage and can relate to his retelling of the cultural awkwardness between European and Samoan customs and society while he spent time teaching over there.
With all autobiographies, they tend to paint themselves in the best possible light and this book was no different with the author quickly glossing over his weaknesses, including his infidelities. It did make me wonder what the story would be like if we had had the chance to hear the other perspectives on his take.
But overall an enjoyable read.
His marriage to a Samoan lady and his time teaching Samoa, the changing social landscape and teaching policy after he had returned to NZ.
I quite enjoyed this book, maybe it was because I was being educated at the same time he was teaching and could relate to the issues he had to overcome, or maybe it is because I am of Samoan heritage and can relate to his retelling of the cultural awkwardness between European and Samoan customs and society while he spent time teaching over there.
With all autobiographies, they tend to paint themselves in the best possible light and this book was no different with the author quickly glossing over his weaknesses, including his infidelities. It did make me wonder what the story would be like if we had had the chance to hear the other perspectives on his take.
But overall an enjoyable read.
June 6, 2022
Great book. I really enjoyed Tim's style of writing and found this to be an easy read. Being a tea her myself, I enjoyed reading about his teaching experiences in various capacities and have to admit I was a bit jealous of some of his experiences.
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